Cassytha melantha
Coarse Dodder-Laurel
Partly parasitic robust climber with green to reddish-brown stems. Attaches to stems of host and becomes rootless at maturity.
Additional information
- FamilyLauraceae
- StoreyUpper storey
- SizeLarge climber
- Plant groupingClimbers & creepers
- LeavesTiny scale-like hairy red leaves.
- Flower colourWhite
- Flowering timeJune to October
- FlowersSpikes of tiny flowers covered in black hairs. Round creamish fruit, often with black streaks, edible.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsCreates a dense tangled mass in open forests and woodlands. Can completely cover small trees and shrubs, strangling them. Full sun partial shade.
- Garden useToo large and robust for garden situations.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusLimited distribution within the Shire, but locally common.
- Aboriginal Use Food - fruit
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Chris Lindorff, NatureShare; 3 Swee Oon ©; 4 Helen Moss ©
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